27 Weeks: Happy Easter!

Busy. Our morning started with Easter baskets, breakfast, Samuel's birthday presents, and rushing off to church. We did rush because as we picked up speed after getting out of our neighborhood we looked back to see Elliot's shoes fly off the top of the car where we'd left them while putting him in his carseat! Also forgot the birthday invitations for our bigger boys... yep, just a day in the life of the Bryant household.

I feel like I'm getting into a routine, a "pregnant-with-twins" routine, if that's possible.  With my new braces, I make it through the school day and I can come home without completely collapsing right away. I heat up the quickest meal I can find for supper and by the time supper is done (after we've endured the endless chatter on a good day, the bickering on other days, and pure screams/tantrums on the worst days) that is when I collapse. I sit at the dining room table as it is cleared and the kitchen cleaned by the rest of my family in a flurry of boy activity.  The hardest days are Monday because I love my weekends. It's even harder when I have a three-day weekend like this one--glorious.

I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and I have my list of questions ready. Really it's a pretty short list but I am curious about anesthesia for my c-section.  My previous c-sections were not planned and I had to have general anesthesia for both.  I've never been 'awake' for a c-section before and am curious as to what it entails.  It's also the dreaded glucose testing for gestational diabetes. I almost failed it last time and had the awful 3 hour test getting blood drawn 3 times, once an hour.  After all of my sugar today for Easter, I'm going to be super healthy for the next three days in hopes I get great results--I don't want to do the 3 hour test, and I definitely don't want the gestational diabetes.
I told Aaron yesterday that I'm ready to just get this show on the road here... I'm ready to meet the little ones who clamor for space within in me.  I'm ready to deal with the parenting challenge and end the pregnancy challenge.  I'm ready to share the burdens, share the joys, even share the sleepless nights (although Aaron doesn't sleep so well either since I take up most of the bed space with my massive pillows, constant heaving while I turn over, and the snoring that has started).  I'm ready to go... let's get trimester 3 started!

(don't mind the overly casual clothes in the picture... I'd had enough of Easter clothes by the time I took the picture...)

26 Weeks: What if...

What if we had five boys? I pondered this on our way home from church today. The palm branches we were to be waving while we sang our first song quickly turned into weapons and swinging the branches as hard and fast as possible to make the loudest noise possible.  Then, the boys had made popsicle crosses for Palm Sunday and they were all turned into swords within 5 minutes of leaving church... two-year-old included. Sometimes the amount of noise and activity that little boys can produce is deafening, sometimes the noises and grunts that replace their words is baffling, and their wrestling and tumbling is overwhelming. I grew up with all sisters and if I'm honest with myself, I never dreamed I'd be a mother of boys. I love it though. I never dreamed I'd be a mother of twins, and two more boys or not, I know I will also love it.

What if they find something in an ultrasound?  I've never had so many ultrasounds before and I do love being able to see the littles moving around and thriving. I also am anxious each visit because of the 'what if' that goes along with seeing them.  However, my ultrasound on Tuesday went well. Baby A sits on my left and weighed in just under 2 lbs. Baby B is on my right and was also just under 2. Baby B still refused to turn to get the needed spine photos, but we are just going to keep trying. Not worried. My next ultrasound will be a growth ultrasound around 30 or 32 weeks and then an ultrasound every week after that to measure the size of the babies and the amount of amniotic fluid around them. 

What if I deliver early? Have our babies in the NICU? Although these are all real possibilities, I decided to do some research on averages for di-di twins (own sacs, own placentas).  I was so encouraged by what I found. Yes, all of the above are a possibility, but the amount of moms who delivered close to 38 weeks was encouraging.  Most of those moms also had babies in the 6-7 lb range and very few had any NICU time.  I had no idea there were different types of twins and I am so glad that the twins I carry are at the least risk for early delivery and NICU time.  

What if I can't stand and have to go on bedrest?  Yes, I know this also is a real possibilities and some days I wish I could just lay down for the rest of the pregnancy, but my realistic side knows that would add a ton of new issues.  So, my new research this week was how to keep my pressure/heaviness feeling at bay, especially while working. After a little internet research I invested in this crazy looking strap that resembles a boy's athletic strap (However, my strap has a little lace decoration--makes the idea of wearing this sooo much better...LOL). The reviews came back as that it worked wonders and... also shows through most clothing.  The reviews almost all said, "Who cares if it shows! I feel so much better!"  Funny how style goes out the window at times like these! HA!  I wore it on Friday and I am cautiously optimistic. I'm also waiting on a back brace to arrive. With both I hope I can stand for longer and stave off the bed rest that looms in the back of my mind. 

I continue to be blessed with meals, folded laundry, and my house vacuumed and swept. I don't know what I'd do without the love in action from all these friends and family. A public thank you! 

25 Weeks: June 13, 2016

I scheduled my c-section this week, June 13! As the nurse was giving me all of my instructions over the phone, what not to eat, when to arrive, etc, I was thinking, "Is this really happening?!?" It seems like it is still so far away...

I've been asked multiple times over the last few weeks, "How are you doing this? How are you working full time as a teacher, raising 3 children, and carrying 2 more?" I've thought about this and honestly, it would be impossible without Aaron.  Aaron has picked up and sacrificed his time, his energy, his free time to do what I cannot do, even in the middle of the night when Elliot isn't sleeping. He has always been the parent that jumps in with all that he is and when others laugh at their spouse's inability to cook, change diapers, dress, and run a household, I can't join in their laughter. I can't join in because Aaron isn't like that. When I've left, I've never had to pre-plan meals, set up a schedule, give instructions, or check my text messages throughout my absence. I've never had to pick up the pieces when I get back.  Aaron knows as much about how to raise our children as I do. He is involved in all of the details and he always has been. In this time of our life, in this stage, I can sit back and he just takes over. He just does it. When I tell him how lucky I am, he shrugs in his understated, humble way and doesn't even realize how special, how unique, he is among men!

This week has been my glorious spring break. I started strong on Monday and my sister came over to help me rearrange my dining room. I converted it into an extension of our living room with a changing table, spot for a pack n' play, a rocking chair, and all of the kid toys.  I wanted a space to do all of the infant stuff without needing to go upstairs.  I love it.  I worked way too hard and could barely walk by the time Aaron came home from work, but it was worth it.  After Monday, my list of things to do dramatically slowed down because Elliot was sick with hand, foot, mouth disease followed by another ear infection.  I spent much of my day rocking him and dealing with clingy boy, but maybe that was for the best--I couldn't tire myself out!

Celebrating Elliot's birthday with Nana and Poppa this weekend. 

I had an appointment on Tuesday that was pretty routine. I measured in at 31 weeks (with the tape measure method for singletons) and babies' hearts were beating away.  I spent much of the next day on the phone figuring out how to make my next appointments. I have my next appointment in 3 weeks and I didn't know if I needed to schedule a growth ultrasound, my glucose test, a regular appointment--all three?  It was back and forth between nurses leaving messages for doctors, mixed messages, until I finally was able to talk with my doctor's nurse directly. The end result is no growth ultrasound needed yet, yes I should do my glucose testing, and yes a regular appointment! Next time, I'll take copious notes during my appointment to make sure I have it all straight... where's the little printed schedule for twin mommies that I can just look at!? :-)

I have my next ultrasound tomorrow to get the rest of the pictures they couldn't get last time. Hopefully it's not two hours long again. I have the two big boys with me this time because they start their spring break and I'm going to try to bring them with me. I don't know the rules about kids in the room, but we'll see. They've never seen an ultrasound live before.

Onward we go.  I'm back to work on Tuesday and worried about my strength.  One day at a time.

24 Weeks: Milestone #1

We have made it to our first milestone! 50-70% of babies born at 24 weeks are viable outside the womb. Obviously,  I'd like a bigger percentage, but this is a good place to start.

This week has been busy!

-- We got a Y membership for our stir crazy boys. Winter is long and only so much  wrestling/running/rough play can happen indoors when it's too cold to go outside. But, the pregnancy advantage is that I sat in the pool and just soaked in the weightless feeling. It is wonderful. I get out out the pool and dream of the next time I can got back in (this has been in the more shallow area near the boys, so I have been trying to relax in the midst of kicking feet, random kids bumping into me and lots of splash avoiding...but it's worth it!)

--My sister and I went to the Moms of Multiples garage sale early Saturday morning. Expectant moms got in first, we were able to have a helper with us and had chairs to sit in at checkout. So many other pregnant moms- expecting multiples! I wanted two things: a Joovy Roo stroller frame and a Twin Z pillow. We were all waiting in anticipation behind the exersaucers and bikes and bouncers and strollers to be let loose. I teased my sister and told she should run when they let us through to grab the pillow I saw on our tour. I was like 10 steps too slow and another mom grabbed it! Boo. I never have been the aggressive type! I did find some super tiny cloth diapers, a few changing pads, and some other little things. It was fun and honestly, I kept looking at these moms who were running this sale with these thoughts. 1. Wow, their bodies are back to normal. 2. They are here without their twins...they have left the house! 3. They look so normal! Ha!

--Elliot's birthday was yesterday and I loved watching his pure joy running back and forth to tell us all about the Lightning McQueen cake, ripping his presents open, and just basking in undivided attention. Back to being pregnant with twins, my mind wants to walk fast, get out of my seat fast, and be a hostess. I feel it though. Seriously, after standing for more than 10 minutes I feel like my insides are going to drop right out. The pressure and soreness is tough at times. The only thing that helps is sitting down (or that glorious pool).

Finally, babies are moving and kicking off and on all day. I think they have different sleep schedules because I feel a lot of kicking. Two. Kicking. In me. Wow.

One more thing. I'm on spring break. Just me. I have my coffee. It's 7am. My toddler is still sleeping. Quiet bliss.